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Interference and co-existence of staphylococci and Cutibacterium acnes within the healthy human skin microbiome
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Ahle, Charlotte Marie
Stødkilde, Kristian
Bömeke, Mechthild
Streit, Wolfgang R.
Wenck, Horst
Reuter, Jörn Hendrik
Hüpeden, Jennifer
Brüggemann, Holger
DOI
10.1038/s42003-022-03897-6
Abstract
Abstract
Human skin is populated by trillions of microbes collectively called the skin microbiome.
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and
Cutibacterium acnes
are among the most abundant members of this ecosystem, with described roles in skin health and disease. However, knowledge regarding the health beneficial effects of these ubiquitous skin residents is still limited. Here, we profiled the staphylococcal and
C. acnes
landscape across four different skin sites of 30 individuals (120 skin samples) using amplicon-based next-generation sequencing. Relative abundance profiles obtained indicated the existence of phylotype-specific co-existence and exclusion scenarios. Co-culture experiments with 557 staphylococcal strains identified 30 strains exhibiting anti-
C. acnes
activities. Notably, staphylococcal strains were found to selectively exclude acne-associated
C. acnes
and co-exist with healthy skin-associated phylotypes, through regulation of the antimicrobial activity. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of skin-resident staphylococci and suggest that selective microbial interference is a contributor to healthy skin homeostasis.
Human skin is populated by trillions of microbes collectively called the skin microbiome.
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and
Cutibacterium acnes
are among the most abundant members of this ecosystem, with described roles in skin health and disease. However, knowledge regarding the health beneficial effects of these ubiquitous skin residents is still limited. Here, we profiled the staphylococcal and
C. acnes
landscape across four different skin sites of 30 individuals (120 skin samples) using amplicon-based next-generation sequencing. Relative abundance profiles obtained indicated the existence of phylotype-specific co-existence and exclusion scenarios. Co-culture experiments with 557 staphylococcal strains identified 30 strains exhibiting anti-
C. acnes
activities. Notably, staphylococcal strains were found to selectively exclude acne-associated
C. acnes
and co-exist with healthy skin-associated phylotypes, through regulation of the antimicrobial activity. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of skin-resident staphylococci and suggest that selective microbial interference is a contributor to healthy skin homeostasis.
